Content management in the enterprise should never be a goal in itself – but an evolving core business strategy that maximises how content can support business goals.

Content management can cover aspects of business from managing unstructured data (emails, instant messages and documents) to administering the workflow of invoices. It can mean scanning; recognition and translation technologies; categorisation, taxonomy and indexing; archives and records management; content integration and migration; search, retrieval, backup and recovery; syndication, localisation and personalisation; and, of course, web content and digital asset management. But whether its managing potential problems, or enabling you to grow your business, the technologies simply provide a set of tools.

The way in which these tools are integrated into the business as a whole are what defines define the success or failure of any strategy. Getting it right can be fundamental to the success of your business – and you need to understand the implications of getting it wrong.

The cost of content management technologies can mean that smaller businesses may put off implementation, but a failure to perform effective customer service, or fulfill legal compliance obligations can have long-term impacts on any business. The key to a successful strategy, and return on investment, is to identify the key metrics for measuring success within your business and making sure you implement effectively.
Compliance with legislation is a core business issue, whether that is with internet data security requirements or even Financial Services Authority legislation. Ensuring that content is properly captured, stored, managed, and disposed of at the appropriate and legal time in its lifecycle, can transform the cost base of compliance. Collaboration, the ability to work remotely or in distributed teams, is key for companies operating in dispersed locations. And, especially online, keeping your business going 24/7 is critical - ECM technologies can allow centralised repositories where all vital corporate information can reside, and be accessed in the face of disaster.
In an increasingly electronic world, understanding the impact of ECM on your business should be a critical aspect of your approach. At Internet World, you can meet the people, and find the right tools, to help you get your strategy right first time.